On the road to ratnagiri few kms before ratnagiri station & opposite the all india broadcasting station, amidst a new developing real estate project lies a restaurant. Mahalaxmi, like an oasis in a dessert, this is a tough spot to miss on the dry arid road.
The restaurant writes " food cooked on domestic brazier ( chulivarche gharghuti jevan) ". Walked in expecting a smoky and black walled place.
To my surprise this was a well lit, aired spic and span place. One wall covered with images of food as terrace opens on the highway. As I sat along for lunch on a warm sunny day with my partner the well covered terrace of the restaurant enveloped us with the cool pleasant ambience.
The service is pronto, right from the temperature of water to be served to the end of the meal.
No wild guests this place is famous for seafood.
The order is placed & sumptuous meal arrives. For starters had ordered the bangda ( Mackrel) fry . The fish though served only one piece, was quite a meat on the bone. One was good enough as a starter for 2 ppl. Comes neatly decorated with tomatoes and wedges of lime. As you bite in cautiously thinking it's a fried item. You are in for a surprise, with so less oil used . The crisp skin and moist flesh let array of textures and flavours on your palate. A perfect balance of crisp, moist, spice sour & hotness is a true sucess for any starter. The fish is so tender and fresh that you can smell the sea in it.
The mains arrive. Sukkha chicken Thaali.
The sukkha chicken which literally means dry dish ( it does look also dry). Is basically a tender meat dish cooked with onions and coconut. To my surprise not at all spicy.
It comes served with Bhakri ( Indian flat bread) a gravy, rice and Sol Kadhi. The combination of tender meat sweetness from the onions, spice from the gravy, the roughness of the Bhakri and aromas of smoked wood transfers you into a different world. The experience that cannot be jotted but has to be experienced, compared to none. To finish the meal with Sol Kadhi is reminisce of moms cooked food. At the end if the meal hands join in to thank as words spill out of the mouth " Annadatta Sukhi Bhava " ( let the one who provided me the food be always happy). As the meal is finished and we await the bill, a young lad in his 30's arrives ( Gaurav) the proprietor to check for satisfaction. As he escorts us out and I compliment him for the wonderful dinning experience, he points at the house adjacent where he resides with his family. A lady sits on a swing in a large porch as he points her to be the " ANNAPOORNA" of the family. I fold my hand & bow my head to her and a faint smile comes as a blessing.
I cross the arid road in the harsh reality of life & sit in the car as I read the name of the restaurant again " Mahalaxmi ". Truly an abode of love,care , nurture , food, pampering.
Another abundance of wealth, but this time on the other side of the Ghats
"MAHALAXMI...
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